Skimm This

theSkimm•www.theskimm.com

“Skimm This” tackles important topics that impact women, and empowers generations of women to live smarter. Listen to our miniseries throughout the year, airing on Thursdays.

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Episodes

Free Speech on College Campuses, NZ Gun Reform, and Balls

President Trump just signed an executive order requiring colleges to support free speech. Which has a lot to do with conservative groups on campus. We’ll tell you what you need to know. Across the world in New Zealand, the gov has made moves to ban the semiautomatic weapons involved in last week’s shootings. Less than a week after they happened. Also on today’s episode: we’re talking Lupita Nyong’o … and balls. PS: Want to tell us about your Woman of the Week? Leave us a voicemail at 646-461-637...

Mar 21, 2019•13 min

Anti-Trusting Tech

The European Union wants big tech companies to play nice with the competition. They don’t think Google’s doing that. So the EU hit Google with a 1.5 billion-euro fine. And that’s not the only antitrust story you’re hearing about today. Meanwhile, back in the US, the FDA just approved a breakthrough drug that could help more than a hundred thousand moms. Also on today’s episode: we spotlight New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, and it’s finally time to put your sweaters away. PS: Want to tell us about ...

Mar 20, 2019•14 min

Friends in Brazil and Floods in the Midwest

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and US President Trump caught up in the Oval Office today. They’re big fans. Of each other. Which is kind of a big deal, because the US and Brazil haven’t exactly been BFFs in the past. We’ll break down what’s going on. Meanwhile, a lot of the Midwest is under water. We’ll tell you three big things to know about the situation. Also on today’s episode: there’s a new biography out about the first female Supreme, and Instagram wants you to open your wallet while y...

Mar 19, 2019•12 min

Why Voting Districts Look Like Abstract Art, French Yellow Vests and Ballsy Women

Gerrymandering: drawing district lines so that some people have more power at the polls. And a big talker ahead of the 2020 election. Today, the Supremes are hearing a Virginia case. And they’ll be hearing from a couple more states this year. So we’re breaking down what you need to know. Also on today’s episode: French yellow vest protesters are back at it, and the NCAA tournament is about to take over your water-cooler conversations. PS: We'd love to know what you think. Head on over to theskim...

Mar 18, 2019•13 min

White Nationalism and the Internet

Mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand are forcing a conversation about the spread of white nationalism … and the internet. Meanwhile, students took action to protest government inaction on climate change. Also on today’s episode: a Skimm’r shares her pick for Woman of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 15, 2019•13 min

‘20 Questions: Citizenship and Beto O’Rourke

There are big questions coming up in 2020. Politicians are trying to get ahead of them. Today, Commerce Sec. Wilbur Ross took the mic on Capitol Hill. The issue on the table: the 2020 census, and whether it should include a question about citizenship. But there’s another questionnaire coming up in 2020. Hint: it’s your ballot. Former Congressman Beto O’Rourke added his name to it today. Also on today’s episode: Christina Koch makes history, and we celebrate Pi Day. PS: Want us to highlight a wom...

Mar 14, 2019•12 min

Behind Bars: The CA Death Sentence and Paul Manafort

California Governor Gavin Newsom hit ‘pause’ on capital punishment in his state. Opening up the floor for a national debate on the death penalty. In other criminal justice news, a judge tacked on more federal prison time for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Now, prosecutors in New York want in on the action. Also on today’s episode: the US jumps on the ‘ground the Boeing Max 8’ bandwagon, and Judge Judy gets a nod from the TV Academy. PS: Want to tell us about the Judge Judy in your...

Mar 13, 2019•13 min

How Rude: Brexit’s Backstop and How “Aunt Becky” Got Her Kid Into College

British parliament rejected PM Theresa May’s latest Brexit plan today. ICYMI, the EU and the UK are getting a divorce. But three years in, they still can’t agree on the terms. The biggest sticking point: the border with Ireland aka ‘the backstop.’ We’ll break it down, guvnah. In other news, the DOJ dropped the curtain on a huge college admissions scam this morning. And they implicate some familiar faces. (Whatever happened to predictability?) Also in today’s episode: millennials break a financia...

Mar 12, 2019•12 min

Just Won’t Budget

President Trump just released his financial wishlist. On it: $718 billion for the Pentagon, way more than the spending cap. But he might get lucky with the money because of something called the Overseas Contingency Operations Fund, aka the Pentagon “slush fund”. Spoiler: it’s controversial. Meanwhile, Boeing is in crisis mode after another one of its planes crashed over the weekend. Also on today’s episode: Swiss moms speak up about maternity leave policies at UBS, and a man almost gets swallowe...

Mar 11, 2019•13 min

Do Not Pass Go: How Judges Hand Down Prison Sentences

Paul Manafort got muuuch less prison time than prosecutors recommended on Thursday. Which got everyone talking. So today we’re breaking down sentencing laws... and how judges decide who gets to pass Go. In other jailhouse news: former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning is back in prison. She RSVP’d ‘no’ to an invite to testify before a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks, and a judge found her in contempt of court. Also on today’s episode: your pick for Woman of the Week. Learn more about ...

Mar 08, 2019•11 min

Introducing: Skimm This

The news is constantly changing, and in today's world, context is clarity. Skimm This is here to help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 08, 2019•30 sec

How the Military Handles Sexual Assault

Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) has everyone talking about how to fix the military’s process for handling allegations of sexual assault. We’re breaking down what you need to know. Meanwhile, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is headed to prison … unless the president decides to pardon him. TBD on that. Also on today’s episode: the history of International Women’s Day, and the new Queen of Instagram… PS: This week, women have been crushing it in the news. Leave us a voicemail at 1.646.46...

Mar 07, 2019•12 min

The Border Crisis: A Family Matter

The federal government is arguing about whether families migrating across the US-Mexico border are a national emergency. We’ll break down what’s going on. In other news from the feds, the FDA just gave a new antidepressant the thumbs up. But it’s got some baggage. Also on today’s episode: Gayle King keeps her composure, and the International Space Station is getting ready to take one giant leap for womankind… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 06, 2019•11 min

Measles and Mardis Gras

You’ve been hearing a lot about the anti-vaccination movement. We’ll give you the context behind the headlines. In other health news, doctors in London say they’ve helped a second HIV patient beat the virus. But they want you to read the fine print. Also on today’s episode: locals in New Orleans have found a way to put the green icing on the (king) cake, and 21-year-old Kylie Jenner is making money moves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 05, 2019•11 min

A Tale of Two Presidents: Venezuela’s Political Crisis

Two guys are fighting over Venezuela. One’s got the military behind him. The other has … pretty much everyone else on his side. In other fights over presidential power, US Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is breaking with his party. And voting to block President Trump’s emergency declaration. Also on today’s episode: we introduce you to suffragist Ida B Wells, and say goodbye to the star of “Beverly Hills 90210”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 04, 2019•12 min

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